Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident-2015 exercises start in Lviv region.

   (Censor.NET) --- An opening ceremony of Saber Guardian / Rapid Trident-2015 Ukrainian-American command and staff military exercises took place in the Lviv region.

   As reported by Censor.NET, this is announced on the Defense Ministry Facebook page.

   The exercises will involve about 2000 soldiers from 18 countries.

   According to the Ministry of Defense, the launch was accompanied by Ukraine and the United States flag raising ceremony on the territory of the central military camp of the International Center for Peacemaking and Security of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi Land Forces Academy.

   Overall, from 20 to 31 July, about 2000 servicemen from 18 countries will be staying in the Lviv region. The exercises will involve armored vehicles and small arms shooting, as well as army aviation helicopters and other military trainings.

   The Deputy Defense Minister for European Integration Ihor Dolhov earlier informed that apart from the US military other soldiers from Great Britain, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia and Lithuania will be participating in the drills.

    As reported earlier, the president of Ukraine signed the law on amendments to the law on the order of admission and conditions of stay of the armed forces of other states on the territory of Ukraine.

   The total number of participants to Saber Guardian / Rapid Trident-2015 exercises is up to 2100 servicemen with weapons and military equipment. Of these, the Ukrainian military make up to 1000 soldiers, the U.S. Armed Forces - up to 500 servicemen, the armed forces of other NATO member states and Partnership for Peace participant countries - up to 600 soldiers.

   Rapid Trident-2014 was launched on September 15, 2014 and went on until September 26, 2014 involving more than 1200 soldiers from 15 countries. The drills were attended by the military from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United States, as well as NATO representatives. Last year the United States sent 200 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Italy.

   During the exercises soldiers practiced different elements of peacekeeping operations.